This sandpaper-based sharpener is a good value for the budget conscious woodworker or the enthusiast who wants to forego the learning curve of other methods. The Work Sharp is designed to sharpen carving tools, chisels and plane irons up to 2″ wide. The 1/5 HP motor spins at a comfortable 580 rpm, so you can easily sharpen other tools freehand.
When sharpening chisels and plane irons, an air-cooled heat sink prevents burning and eliminates the need for messy lubricants. You flatten and polish tool backs on top of a 6″ diameter x 3/8″ thick piece of tempered glass coated with adhesive backed sandpaper. You then hone the bevel from underneath the glass on the angle port. The angle port adjusts to 20°, 25°, 30° and 35° for predictable and repeatable sharpening.
Carving tools are ground underneath a slotted backer disc, so you can see the tool’s bevel as you sharpen. Just color the edge with a black marker, and grind sharpen until the mark disappears. The slots in the backer disc keep cool air flowing over the tool to prevent burning.
Strip paper and clean glass and plastic backers with acetone. 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.
NOTE: The Work Sharp comes with some 400 grit paper that attaches to the angle port to remove any burr left by the sharpening process. We recommend not using this paper, as it will scratch the back of your polished tool. To remove any leftover burr, just lightly rub the back of the tool over the 3600 or 6000 micro-mesh paper with the machine off.
The Work Sharp 3000 Sharpening Center includes:
- Work Sharp 3000 Sharpener
- 2 tempered glass wheels (you can mount abrasive on both sides) for flat tools
- 1 slotted see-through wheel for carving tools
- Top tool rest for free hand sharpening
- Crepe stick for cleaning the sandpaper
- An abrasive kit, which includes one each of the following: 120, 400, 1000 & 3600 grit sharpening discs; 80, 400, & 1200 grit slotted sharpening discs.
Visit Highland Woodworking for more information on this and all of our fine woodworking products.